In a significant recognition for Poland’s geological heritage, the Kraina Wygasłych Wulkanów (Land of Extinct Volcanoes), nestled in the Western Sudetes, has been inscribed on UNESCO’s list of Global Geoparks. This accolade marks the third such distinction for a Polish geopark. Experts emphasize that this recognition signifies the international importance of our country’s geological heritage.
UNESCO Global Geoparks are geographical areas of international geological significance managed in accordance with a holistic concept of protection, education, and sustainable development. Their mission is to promote and protect geological, natural, and cultural heritage while engaging local communities.
Currently, the list comprises 213 geoparks spanning 48 countries worldwide.
The Kraina Wygasłych Wulkanów lies within the Góry and Pogórze Kaczawskie regions, stretching between Złotoryja and Jelenia Góra. It stands out as one of Poland’s most diverse areas in terms of tectonics and geology. On March 27th, this exceptional site in Poland was added to UNESCO’s list of Global Geoparks.
“As the name suggests, the Land of Extinct Volcanoes primarily features former volcanoes, along with varying degrees of preserved volcanic activity remnants: rocks, minerals, and terrain formations,” stated Dr. Katarzyna Szadkowska, head of the Laboratory of Geological and Environmental Deposits at the Lower Silesian Branch of the Polish Geological Institute – National Research Institute in Wrocław.
In addition to the Land of Extinct Volcanoes, Poland’s first entry on UNESCO’s Global Geoparks list was the Łuk Mużakowa (Muszkau Arc), a Polish-German transboundary object. It is a tiered frontal moraine, extending in the shape of an arc along the border of Poland and Germany.